7 Most Common Reasons for Roof Leaks
Maintaining the structural strength of your roof is important for the safety and security of your house. It is the area of your home that shields you from the elements, such as wind, rain, snow, heat, and cold. Roofs are prone to damage caused by wear and tear over time. In addition to leaks or water damage inside your home, you can witness shingles that have curled, cracked, or fallen off. This includes the development of mould and mildew as well as harm to your walls, insulation, attics, and ceilings.
There are multiple possible causes for leaks in your roof. For instance, incorrect installation, material failure, storm damage, and more, could be to blame. In this blog, we will talk about the common roof leaks, where they can appear in your home, and how to repair them. Early recognition of these problems will allow you to take preventive measures on time. As a result, you can prevent leaks and maintain the overall strength of your house.
Let’s discover the 7 most common reasons for your leaked roof:
1. Damaged Shingles
Strong winds, hailstorms, and excessive rainfall may all lead to your roof’s shingles breaking off and creating damage. As a result of such unpredictable weather conditions, your roofing structure could become prone to shingles cracking or coming off entirely. Rain and snow can easily seep into a roof causing its shingles to weaken, which increases the risk of leaking and other structural roof damage.
Since strong storms are normally the reason for missing or damaged roof shingles, the common solution to this particular problem is to change the shingles that are damaged or missing. But, changing out the roof’s shingles simply might not be the suitable option to prevent leaks, if your roof has reached close to the end of its estimated lifespan it may even require a complete roof replacement. Make sure to take a complete roof inspection by a roofing professional who can help you identify the requirements for more costly repairs.
2. Pipe Boot Failure
As soon as the pipe boot on your roof starts wearing out, it can lead to a leak. Usually, these boots have a lifecycle of nearly 10 years. But when they fail, it can cause roof leaks. These roof leaks commonly occur right under the pipe on your roof, often in rooms like bathrooms or attics. To repair this, you can place a rubber collar over the old pipe boot. This collar covers any cracks and helps keep water out for another 10 years or so.
However, it will be a wise decision to have a professional roofing contractor handle this repair to guarantee it’s done correctly and lasts a long time. They can carry out a thorough inspection to make sure that the leak is properly acknowledged and fixed. Moreover, professionals have the skill and tools to perform the repair more efficiently, reducing the risk of further damage to your roof.
3. Chimney Wear and Tear
Chimney wear and tear is another major reason for roof leakage. This might happen because there might be damage to the flashing surrounding the chimney, that locks water out. If the chimney is made up of bricks, the mortar between them may wear away over time, allowing water to enter. Even the upper portion of the chimney might break or rust, resulting in leaks. Water can sometimes seep in where your chimney’s exterior meets the boards, causing wood damage.
You require a roofer to check the chimney in order to find what’s causing it to leak. They can look at the damage to figure out what needs to be repaired. At times, a chimney-skilled expert with particular qualifications and licensing is needed to deal with certain chimney issues, such as leaks originating from the top of the chimney. However, a roofing contractor can still detect the problem and suggest an ideal repair provider, ensuring the safety of your house and chimney.
4. Incorrect installation of skylights
Skylights often get a bad reputation because people think they all leak, but that’s not always true. They do leak often due to defective parts. However, almost all of those leaks happen because of an outcome of improper installation by the installer. This happens frequently and reflects a negative view of the skylight and roofing industries.
Regardless of where in your house the skylight is located, anyone will be able to detect a leak. If there is a leakage beneath a skylight in your house, you will be able to identify it. The portion of the wall next to the skylight could have been damaged if the water seepage originated from the materials around it. You may see water leaking from the skylight if there is an issue with a section of the skylight itself. It is advisable to hire experienced roofers to take care of these leaks. They can identify the problem and make sure the whole thing is installed appropriately to keep your home and roof dry and safe.
5. Clogged Gutters
A major cause of roof leaks is clogged gutters, which can often be brought on by the gradual accumulation of fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris. Gutter blockages make it difficult for water to flow smoothly throughout times when there is heavy rain, leading to overflow and then interior water penetration into the home. This overflow could lead to water stains on ceilings and walls, damage the building’s foundation, and possibly cause water leaks in the basement. This problem can frequently get severe by improper flashing onto the fascia board, which causes water to leak under the gutter and harm the entire house.
Regular upkeep is necessary to avoid blocked gutters and possible roof leaks. In addition to placing gutter covers to keep debris out and provide suitable water drainage, expert roofers additionally offer gutter cleaning services. Homeowners can minimize the chance of water leakage and maintain the strength of their roofs and houses by taking corrective action concerning clogged gutters.
6. Flashing is Cracked
Cracked flashing, the material that covers the gaps under the shingles is another typical reason for roof leaks. The flashing gets prone to exposure when the tar used to seal it corrodes and loses its effectiveness over time. Unfavorable climate, such as high winds and persistent rain, frequently speeds up this degradation. If flashing is not properly covered when it fractures, it can take on the appearance of sheet metal and lose its protective rubber coating.
Regular checks and repairs are important since flashing may possibly break down over time due to multiple reasons such as exposure to moisture, rain, snow, ice, and high temperatures. To avoid leaks, flashing on your roof needs timely maintenance and replacement when required, just like other roof components. To safeguard your roof from future leaks, consulting a professional roofer for an in-depth inspection will assist you in identifying any flashing problems and ensure they are dealt with appropriately, either by replacing them or repairing them.
7. Inappropriately Driven Nails
Improperly inserted roofing nails are a major contributing factor to your roof leaks. A nail should stay in place whether it is air-nailed or hand-nailed as long as it is properly fixed in solid wood and not overdriven. However, nails may eventually make their way back up through the shingle, if they are pushed in too low or in an odd direction. As a result, rainwater may enter your structure via exposed nail heads and cause leaks.
Additionally, decking nails could end up pulled upward through the deck material if they were not properly driven in the wood frame during fitting. This might happen because of changes in temperature and sunlight. The screws may eventually begin to come out through the shingles’ surface as a result of this process, which can cause your roof prone to water leakage. Therefore, it is important to choose the right roofing contractor for accurate installations and to reduce the chances of these kinds of roof leaks. Identifying the wrongly driven nail is a must to figure out the source of the water leak, which could be anywhere in your house.
Roof Repair: DIY or Professional Services
You may be encouraged to fix a leaky roof by yourself if you have previous construction experience. It could appear like an affordable alternative considering the number of articles, videos, and other resources that are available online to help you with the repair. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that incorrect repairs can ultimately result in more serious and costly issues.
Before deciding to fix a roof leak on your own, you may also need to give your safety some serious thought. It is advisable to let the professional handle this if you are not used to walking on roofs or using ladders. Professional roofers have the necessary expertise, equipment, and safety protocols to carry out the repairs effectively and efficiently.
Conclusion
To keep your home secure, it is important to identify the main cause of your home leakage issue. Each problem is unique and requires particular repair, whether it’s misplaced nails, cracked shingles or blocked gutter. You may be able to solve the issue if you have some kind of experience in construction but it will require extra caution. Therefore, it is advisable to hire professional roofers for more serious issues. By investing in professional repair early you will be able to avoid the more costly repairs later on. As a result, making your home safe and leakage-proof.
At NexLevel Roofing and Outdoor Living, our main goal is to make sure that the roof of your home remains strong, reliable and durable. You can rely on our team of experts to solve any roof-related leak issue you may run across. Our team have the essential skills and commitment to provide reliable solutions that safeguard your house, regardless of the severity of the leak. So, don’t let the roof leak problem affect the overall strength of your home. Pick NexLevel Roofing and Outdoor Living for all of your roofing requirements. Call us at 972-346-6432 or Email us at
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